Chapter 3: The Silvermoon Garden

I barely slept that night.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the blood-written scroll.

Absolute priority. Above all else.

Those four words echoed endlessly inside my head.

Five years.

Five years of believing I had finally found someone who loved me without conditions.

Five years of believing I had escaped the betrayal that destroyed my first engagement.

Now I realized I had only traded one beautiful lie for another.

Morning arrived far too quickly.

The castle servants bustled through the halls with excitement.

"Happy early birthday, Lady Selena!"

"His Highness has prepared something extraordinary!"

"You'll love the surprise!"

I smiled politely at every greeting.

No one noticed how empty my smile had become.

After breakfast, I returned to my studio one final time.

The room had always been my sanctuary.

Every canvas, every brush, every unfinished painting carried pieces of my soul.

I slowly walked between them, allowing my fingertips to brush against the wooden frames.

"Goodbye," I whispered.

It felt strange saying farewell to a place that had once been my entire world.

I wasn't taking anything with me.

Not the paintings.

Not the jewelry.

Not the expensive gowns.

When I left, I wanted nothing that belonged to Alistair.

Only my freedom.

A soft knock interrupted my thoughts.

"Come in."

The door opened, revealing the castle's elderly librarian, Edwin.

He had served the vampire royal family for more than three centuries.

"Your Highness," he said respectfully.

"Prince Alistair asked me to deliver these historical records for your next painting."

He placed several ancient books on my desk.

"Thank you, Edwin."

As he turned to leave, he hesitated.

"May I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Are you... happy?"

His question caught me completely off guard.

"Why would you ask that?"

The old vampire lowered his eyes.

"Because happiness has a light."

"You've always carried it."

"Today... it seems to have disappeared."

For a brief moment, I almost told him everything.

Instead, I forced another smile.

"I'm just tired."

"I hope that's all it is," he replied quietly before leaving.

Once the door closed, I looked toward the ancient books.

One thick volume had fallen open by itself.

A faded illustration caught my attention.

It depicted an ancient vampire tradition known as the Eternal Bond.

According to the text, a vampire could willingly surrender centuries of accumulated power to extend the lifespan of a human soulmate.

The ritual required absolute devotion.

The human had to be the vampire's greatest priority.

Anything less would cause the magic to fail.

I stared at the page for several long moments.

So that had been Alistair's promise.

He hadn't intended to turn me into a vampire.

He truly planned to let me remain human while sharing his immortality.

A beautiful promise.

Made by a man whose greatest priority had always been someone else.

The irony was almost unbearable.

That evening, the castle gardens glowed beneath thousands of enchanted lanterns.

Music drifted through the cool night air.

The entire royal court had gathered to celebrate my birthday.

At least, that was what everyone believed.

When I stepped outside, dozens of guests applauded.

"Lady Selena!"

"Happy Birthday!"

"Many happy centuries ahead!"

I thanked them one by one.

Then I saw the flowers.

Silvermoon flowers stretched endlessly across the garden.

Under the moonlight they shimmered with silver-blue crystals, creating one of the most breathtaking sights imaginable.

To everyone else.

To me...

They were poison.

Within seconds, my skin began itching.

My throat tightened ever so slightly.

Even standing several meters away was enough to trigger my allergy.

"Do you like them?"

Alistair appeared behind me, wrapping an arm around my waist.

"I planted every single one myself."

His expression was filled with pride.

"They're beautiful," I answered quietly.

"I knew you'd love them."

No.

You knew Isabella would.

The realization hurt less than I expected.

Perhaps because there was nothing left inside me to break.

Guests admired the glowing field while musicians played soft melodies.

Servants carried crystal goblets filled with enchanted wine.

Everything appeared perfect.

Then Isabella arrived.

She wore a flowing pale-blue gown that matched the Silvermoon flowers perfectly.

The moment she entered the garden, her eyes sparkled.

"They're magnificent!" she breathed.

"I've never seen so many Silvermoon flowers in one place."

Alistair smiled unconsciously.

"I'm glad you like them."

He froze.

Perhaps realizing too late what he had said.

Slowly, he turned toward me.

"I mean... I hoped Selena would like them too."

Too late.

I'd already heard the truth.

Isabella walked into the flower field without hesitation.

She spun happily beneath the glowing petals, laughing like a child.

"This is the most beautiful garden I've ever seen!"

Watching her, Alistair's eyes softened.

It wasn't the expression of a king admiring a guest.

It was the expression of a man watching the woman he truly loved.

No one else noticed.

I did.

Suddenly my vision blurred.

My breathing became difficult.

One of the servants rushed toward me.

"Lady Selena! Your face..."

My arms were already covered in angry red rashes.

The allergy was spreading quickly.

Alistair immediately turned around.

"Selena!"

His expression filled with panic.

"Call the royal physician!"

For one tiny moment, I almost believed he remembered.

Then another scream echoed across the garden.

"Help!"

"Lady Isabella has fainted!"

Every head turned.

Isabella had collapsed among the flowers.

Alistair didn't hesitate.

He released me instantly and sprinted toward her.

"Isabella!"

He caught her before she hit the ground.

"Summon every healer!"

"Now!"

I stood completely alone.

The itching spread across my body.

My vision darkened.

Not one healer came toward me.

Every physician rushed to Isabella's side.

Exactly as they had five years ago.

The memory of the scroll flashed through my mind.

"Absolute priority. Above all else."

I finally understood.

It had never been an order written only once.

It had become the rule everyone in this castle followed.

Even without realizing it.

Even tonight.

A young maid hurried over with concern.

"Your Highness, are you alright?"

"I'll live," I answered softly.

"Please don't tell the Prince I'm leaving early."

"But..."

"Please."

She nodded reluctantly.

I quietly walked away from the celebration.

Behind me, Alistair still held Isabella in his arms.

He never once looked back.

As I disappeared into the darkness of the castle corridors, I made my final decision.

I wouldn't wait another day.

Tomorrow...

Before sunrise...

I would leave Blackthorn Castle forever.